Flexible coupling



pril 2l, i936. P. R. YATEs Y FLEXIBLE COUPLING Original Filed Nov. 9, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 pril 2l, 1936.

RR. YATES FLEXIBLE COUPLING 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Nov 9, 1933 Patented Apr. 21, v 1936 es to flexible couplings and tting couples My invention relat more particularly to power transmi of this type.

The primary object of my invention is to pro- 5` vide a simple and reliable coupling of this type. I provide an arrangement in lements are resiliently deiiections between the Furthermore, the resilis to provide a coupling ofv limited amount of free relat between the shafts is till maintaining a coupling I provide coupling balls t angularly spaced ing member, these the shaft elements.

More specifically, which are located in bores a points around `the main coll balls engaging in grooves in Springs located `in the bor-es press the balls radially inward into the grooves, so that a ccnstant connection is preserved.

Further objects and advantages of my invenmore fully from the following conjunction with the hich form a part tion will appear description when taken in accompanying drawings w In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows my couplin Fig. 2 is a cross sectio Fig. 3 is a cross sec g in side elevation.

2-2 of Fig. 1. tion on the line 3-3 of n on the line Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a modified form of my invention. y

Fig. 5 is a cross section on the line 5-5 of cross section on the line 6-6 of les two shafts 2 and 4 so as ebetween while permitthe axes of the shafts. f the shafts sleeves 6 are 8 or in some other manthe sleeves are provided hile at their inner ends The invention coup to transmit torque ther tions between On the abutting ends o secured by means of pins ner. The outer ends of ar flanges I0 w are formed grooves I2 These grooves extend to the inne at angularly spaced points. r ends of the ling member consists of. two cy- I4 having abutting flanges I6 e secured together by bolts I8. I4 are slightly The main coup lindrical elements so that they can b The inner bores of the elements NITED .STATES PATENT orifice.

November 9, 193,3, Serial No. 697,348 Renewed February 26, 1,936

larger than the sleeves 6 so as toY allow the shafts to rock. At their abutting ends the bores are enlarged to provide a space ZIJ fo-r *receiving the flanges I0. This space is somewhat wider than the combined thickness of the flanges.

nAt angularly spaced points around the elements I4 are internally threaded bores 22. Plugs 24 are threaded in these bores, the inner ends of these plugs being provided with recesses 26. Ball yholding elements or blocks are provided, 10 having stems 30 slidably guided in the bores and heads 32, the faces of which are curved to fit balls 34 which form thecoupling elements. Coil springs 36 within the bores act to press the balls into coupling position. 15

It should be quite evident that the balls 36 will engage the sides of grooves I2 and bores 22 and will thus couple each shaft to the main coupling element, so that torque will be transmitted.

At the same time, if one of the shafts gets out of 20 line, the balls will be displaced against the action of springs 36 and will permit the shafts to tilt. Other balls will, however, be pressed radially inward by the springs. By providing a number of balls at angularly displaced positions, some of 25 them will be in precisely the proper driving relation and the device will therefore transmit torque at all times. In addition, the length of the grooves permits some endwise movement between the shafts. 30

The ease of assembly of my arrangement is obvious and no description thereof appears to be necessary. Only the release of bolts I8 is r quired to uncouple the shafts. The tension of springs 36 may be adjusted by turning plugs 24. 35

Figs. 4 to 6 show a modified form of the coupling in which only one set of ball members is used. An outer member I4 is secured to the shaft 2 and within a recess in this fits a sleeve 6 secured on the shaft 4'. The members 6 and I4 are 40 fixed on the shafts by keys 40. In openings 22 in the outer member I4' are threaded the plugs 24. The ball holders having stems 36 are slid- .ably guided in the bores 26 of the plugs. These ball holding blocks are provided with heads 32' 45 having faces fitting the balls 34 which form the Vcoupling element. Coil springs 36 press the balls into coupling position. This arrangement is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

The sleeve 6' has a circular raised portion 42 5o through which are out grooves I2 having rounded bottoms. 'I'he bores 34 engage in these grooves.

It is quite obvious that, since the diameter of the sleeve 6 is considerably less than the internal diameter of the recess in the member I4', the 55 1. A flexible coupling for shafts, comprising a main coupling member having an internal bore` and recesses opening into said bore, coupling4 members in said recesses, and elements on the abutting ends of said shafts-having grooves `therein open at the inner ends of the elements-"and ending at points spaced from the outer endsV thereof, said coupling members engaging in said grooves.

2;" In a flexible shaft coupling, elements'on the shafts having recesses therein, a main coupling member surrounding said elements and having-` radial bores; balls mounted in said bores, plugs threaded in saidbores, and spring means between said plugs andjballs in said bores engaging said balls and urgingthe same radially inwardly to engage said recesses, said recesses comprising grooves extending from points intermediate the lengths of said elements to the inner ends thereof.

3. Ina flexible shaft coupling, elementson thev abutting ends of the shafts having flanges at their outer ends in planes transverse to the axes of the shafts, a main coupling member having a central longitudinal bore composed of end portions of less `diameter than said-flanges and a central portion of enlarged diameter within which said flanges are located, and resilient means in said end portions coupling said elements flexibly to said member.

4; In a flexible shaft coupling, elements on the abutting ends of the shaftshaving flanges at their outer ends in planes transverse to the axes of the shafts, a main coupling member having a central longitudinal bore composed of end portions of less diameter than said flanges and a central portion of enlarged diameter within which said flanges are located, the end portions of said member having radial bores therein, plugs Y threaded in said bores, balls mounted in said bores, and said.` elements having longitudinal grooves therein engaging `said balls.

5. In a flexible shaft coupling, elements on theeabutting ends of the shafts having flanges at their outer ends in planes transverse to the axes of the shafts, a main coupling member having a central v-longitudinal bore composed of end portions of less diameter than said flanges and a central portion of enlarged diameter within which said flanges are located, the end portions of said memberhaving radial bores therein, plugs threaded in said bores, balls mounted in said bores, springs in said bores between said plugs and balls pressing said ballsradially inward; and saidl elements having longitudinal grooves therein en-A gagingfsaid balls. l

6. Ina flexible shaft coupling,` elements on the abutting ends of the shafts having flanges at their=outer ends in planes transverse to the a-Xes of the-shafts, a main couplingl member havinga central longitudinal bore composed of end portionsofless diameter than saidflanges and acentral portion of enlarged diameter within which said Vflanges are located, the end portions' of said member having radialy bores therein, plugsl threadedin said bores, balls mounted in-said bores, saidlplugshaving recesses therein, blocks havingstems slidably guided in said recessesl and heads vengaging said balls, springs in said recesses. behind said blocks, and said elements having lon--4 g-i-tudinal grooves therein engaging-saidballs, said grooves extending from points intermediate-'said elements to the inner ends thereof.

PAUL R.- YATES.v 

